MOE TO BREAK ELECTION PROMISE OF BALANCING BUDGET BY 2027-28

Finance Minister Ducks Questions On Just How High The Deficit Will Go
REGINA – Scott Moe is steering the province’s finances off a cliff and appears to be on a collision course with breaking a major election campaign promise of balancing Saskatchewan’s budget.

In recent days, economists have suggested the budget, due out in mid-March, could see a deficit of $1 billion. Moe has already doubled the province’s debt to a staggering $40 billion and Saskatchewan people are paying $1 billion each year to bankers on Bay Street and Wall Street just to cover the interest.

“It’s Saskatchewan people already struggling to make ends meet that will ultimately pay the price for this Premier’s financial trainwreck,” said Carla Beck, Saskatchewan NDP Leader. “They will pay the price today and their kids will pay for it in the generations to come.

“A higher cost of living for families, healthcare that ranks dead-last in the nation, a severe crime wave and overcrowded classrooms — Scott Moe spends like a drunken sailor and hardworking Saskatchewan people see no benefit.”

Moe campaigned in 2024 on balancing the budget, laying out a supposed path to balance on the last page of his platform. Titled “The Saskatchewan Party Plan For Responsible Financial Management,” the budget projected a deficit of $46.5 million in the 2026-27 budget and a $16.4 million surplus in 2027-28.

“Responsible financial management? What a joke,” said Trent Wotherspoon, Saskatchewan NDP Finance Shadow Minister. “We have said it from Day 1 that last year’s budget wasn’t worth the paper it was printed on. The minister claimed to have a $12-million surplus, but he blew that in a matter of hours.

“Now, we’re careening towards a one-billion-dollar deficit and there’s no end in sight to this financial mess, dishonesty and incompetence.”

On Monday, during the first Question Period of the Spring Sitting, Moe’s Finance Minister Jim Reiter refused to answer questions on how high the deficit would be in the coming budget.

“This is a government that is allergic to transparency, and that was dishonest with the people of Saskatchewan while trying to get their votes,” Beck said. “Saskatchewan deserves a government that shoots straight and tells the truth, instead of hiding the state of the province's finances.

“We need a plan to get back on track, pay down the debt and deficit, and plan for a bright future in Saskatchewan. It’s time for change.”

-30-

Latest posts

KEVIN WEEDMARK REFUNDS TAXPAYERS FOR JOURNALISM GRANT HIS PAPER RECEIVED

KEVIN WEEDMARK REFUNDS TAXPAYERS FOR JOURNALISM GRANT HIS PAPER RECEIVED The Moosomin-Montmartre MLA Continues Hiding From Media As Questions Grow

REGINA – Today, more questions about embattled MLA Kevin Weedmark have been raised following the release of an article from Grasslands News about his privately owned and operated newspaper, The World Spectator.

BRIGHTON RESIDENTS LEFT IN THE DARK: CARLA BECK'S TEAM CALLS OUT MLA KEN CHEVELDAYOFF OVER PHANTOM SCHOOLS

SASKATOON— Carla Beck's team, joined by local Brighton resident Dr. Sarah Chomicki, is calling on Scott Moe to fulfill his government's broken promises and immediately get to work on a neighborhood school for the rapidly growing community of Brighton.

NEW DATA SHOWS THAT SASKATCHEWAN HAS THE HIGHEST CHILD FOOD BANK USAGE IN CANADA

Beck Commits To School Nutrition Program, Doing All She Can To End Child Poverty
REGINA – Carla Beck’s team is sounding the alarms on new data showing more children in Saskatchewan are forced to rely on the food bank than anywhere else in Canada.

CARLA BECK GOVERNMENT WOULD RESTORE DIRECT-TO-LANDLORD RENT PAYMENTS AS MOOSE JAW FACES RISING HOMELESSNESS

More Affordable Housing, Rent Control Also Part Of Plan Being Developed By Beck’s Team
MOOSE JAW – Carla Beck’s team is in Moose Jaw today committing that, should they form the next provincial government, her team will restore direct-to-landlord rent payments for Saskatchewan Income Support (SIS) and Saskatchewan Assured Income for Disability (SAID) clients.

NDP Caucus Office